Well......I abandoned the idea of getting a new truck a few weeks ago. It came back HARD the last few days though.
Turning left across two lanes on a busy metro street. Audi "pre-sense" misfired and stopped me 1/2 in the oncoming lane. I panic'd because I knew I could make it, but the electronics in the car obviously thought different. I stood on the brakes. Car had to swerve around me into second lane, which pushed a pickup truck up onto the curb/sidewalk/greenspace. Nobody hurt and no damage to any cars. I stopped and checked with the guy in the truck. He was pissed, but got over it once he realized I wasn't an idiot driver and didn't do it on purpose. He thought I was gonna make it as well and subsequently didn't slow down, adding to the chaos. First time a misfire has caused an issue at this level. I think it's the 3rd time in a little over a year of ownership it's done it.
THEN......
Coming into work, in the rain, yesterday morning. Low Tire Pressure alert goes off while I'm lanes deep in stop and go traffic on the bridge between IN/KY. I "limp" my way to the nearest exist to check the tires. I get out, all (4) were still at the same 42psi I set them at last week. I get back in, clear the error and reset the TPMS system. Off I go. Same error again in 2 miles. I stop and check again. No issues, reset and drive away. Hasn't come back since. Audi uses the ABS sensors to detect low tire pressure. It's an asinine system, and I'm wondering if there is a lurking ABS problem afoot that just hasn't come to light yet.
AND.....
I lowered it last weekend. What a fucking mistake that was. It handles great and looks amazing. Parts were under $100 and only took a few minutes to install while I was rotating the tires. Essentially they are modified and adjustable links for the ride height sensors. This lets the car just adjust the air pressure and raise/lower to where you adjust them to. Of course air bags are linear rate dependant on air pressure, so now it rides like a bouncy 19yr olds POS civic that has heated coils. Seriously, it's BAD. Handling is MUCH improved with ~1.5in lower height. Dive and lift during braking and acceleration are almost gone, and body roll is greatly reduced. It's so poorly undersprung at that lower height that it's not uncommon to hit the bumpstops, even on relatively smooth roads. "Allroad" mode rides really nice and has the appropriate spring rate, and damping curves, however it lifts it back up almost 5in, and all the body roll, dive and squat comes right back. I kept the stock parts, I'll probably put it back and sell the links. Such a disappointment on this front
BUT WAIT.........
We went camping last weekend. 2 adults, 2 kids, and 1 dog. We wouldn't have made the trip without the boat. Filled the hatch completely, and then had to use the floor of the boat for camp chairs, coolers, and the air mattress. I think there is improvement to be made on the equipment optimization front here, but sure would be nice to just toss the stuff in the truck and take off and not have to worry about optimizing a packing solution to go. We're close, but not quite there. On top of all those reasons, I had to throw stuff in the hatch I didn't want to. Firewood, trash, things like that, that, well, weren't pleasant to have in there, and made a mess. If we are going to continue on this front, and we intend to, then the luxury SUV isn't quite the fit I want.
THATS NOT ALL......
Remember those expansive ass brakes I need to work on? I'm not on day 16 waiting for them to ship. Not only are they expensive as all dammit, they're on backorder almost everywhere. This might be an "every car" problem, but it sure isn't helping my motivation to keep the stupid thing. I don't think I'm in any safety concerns at this point, however it's an agitation I just don't want or need currently. The brakes are amazing, and well, this is how I get to pay for them I suppose.
SO, the local Nissan dealer has a Titan on the lot they just dropped the price on by about $3k. Puts it under $56k for a brand new truck with a lifetime warranty. Not sure it has the style as the Sierra I want, but for around $20k less money, that seems like a silly argument from a value perspective. With that said I've been a car guy for years, so I completely get the emotional side of vehicle ownership. Who knows where I'll land, but wanted to vent for a minute, and this seemed like a good place to do it